“The Power of Belief” events on Samothraki Island was an opportunity to know what the voices of culture, economy, politics and arts have to say about a corner of the earth that once was a mystical center of the world. What does Samothraki represent for each one of them and us?

The Kabeiroi were a group of four or six deities, linked with Hephaistos and the Dioscuri; known names of these deities are Axieros, Axiokersa, Axiokersos and Kasmilos. The cult was established by sailors, who considered the Kabeiroi their patrons and sought their protection during their travels. Originating in the area of North Aegean (Lemnos, Imbros, Samothrace) in the 7th cent. B.C., the cult of the Kabeiroi then spread to other areas (Thebes, Delos et al.). The latest testaments to the cult after the Hellenistic era belong to the 4th cent. A.D.

Samothrace was the most important site of the mystery cult of the Kabeiroi, who appear under the name Megaloi Theoi (Great Gods) in local inscriptions. Their cult consisted of ceremonies and mysteries in special sanctuaries. A prerequisite for the initiation was confession, i.e. the catharsis of the soul (psyche) of the candidate, assigned to a designated priest, Koes, who would decide on the suitability of the aspiring initiate. The initiation ceremony took place during the night in the light of lamps held by those already initiated. The candidate would sit on a throne, hence the name of this ceremony: thronismos. The new member would then receive the offer of an olive wreath and a red ribbon, an amulet that would protect him, in particular, from the dangers of the sea. In the abaton (‘the place not to be entered’) of the ceremonial space, a sign prohibited those who were not initiated from entry (the uninitiated should not enter). Ethical improvement for the initiated was the ultimate goal of the Mysteries.

Anyone, regardless of nationality, social class, age and gender, could be initiated into the Mysteries of the Kabeiroi, and this is an important difference from the more “elitist” Eleusinian Mysteries.

Among the initiates of the Mysteries of the Kabeiroi were many ‘ancient celebrities’: Herodotus, the Spartan king Lysander, the parents of Alexander the Great, Philip II Macedon and his wife Olympias, who actually met during their initiation on Samothrace in their youth, and a number of mythological figures (Odysseus, Agamemnon, Orpheus). Many important Romans are also mentioned in relation to the Mysteries.

Because of its Mysteries and the Sanctuary Samothrace was called ‘ζαθέη’, i.e. reverend, holy land. The island functioned also as an important sanctuary for political exiles, such as Arsinoe Philadelphos in her effort to escape Ptolemy Keraunos, Ptolemy Philometor after his defeat by Antiochus, and Perseus, king of Macedonia when defeated by the Romans.

After the accidental discovery of the statue of the Victory of Samothrace, excavations on the island brought to light the entire archaeological site, the sanctuary of the Kabeiroi, an ancient theatre, altars, coins, vases, jewellery and also a number of buildings dedicated to the Great Gods by Arsinoe, Ptolemy and the Macedonian royal dynasty.

In the capital city of Alexandroupolis Evros Prefecture located in Thrace Financial Forum. Thrace is the most geopolitically important part of Europe with the oldest and most important cultural past. The actions of the Forum are numerous, multifaceted beyond addressing the economic issues facing Greece and Europe in general, which always grow with philhellenes native and foreign personalities from around the world dealing with the permanent display of Thrace with long-term goals . While facing painful crisis, because we insist on a piece of Greece in this long history has proven that transforms mistakes into success. So we have developed our own philosophy based on the teachings of Democritus. Can some Athenians to deride the Thracian philosopher of his origins but he insisted ‘the work, work and work again. So it is worth mentioning that after the last census conducted in 2011 the population of Thrace is 369430 thousand inhabitants, while the unemployment rate in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace exceed 23%. Thrace is a multicultural center as the population of the Muslim minority is more than 33% of the population. The Muslim minority make up three categories of Turkish origin, Pomaks and Gypsies. These people are distinguished for their beliefs, their cultural heritage, education and hard work. Thrace is still maintained, we could say that the cost of agricultural crops and products produced by them and the industries and crafts that exist in the region. Example we note that the geographical area businesses are manufacturing, trade, tourism, and wood crafts, agricultural products, sausage-meat.

“Wine gladdens the heart” maybe this expression in conjunction with the history of Soufli in wine and raki spurred the brothers Bella to continue the tradition. So in the year 1997 placed on domestic and foreign spirits European market from their vineyard. 250 acres of land in Alanya. It is worth mentioning that raki was the first in the world that was exported to China. The varieties of grape vines on the land there is so like Greek Moschofilero, Assyrtiko and French for example kaperne, syrah, cinsaut and merlot. Simultaneously, the passion and love for Soufli led the planting of local and unique grape vines in the world and these are the karnachalas boualamas and producing the Byzantine red wine. This particular wine was called Byzantine because only the intoxicating and glorious past of Byzantium could compete with the aroma and flavor. The company Bella Co. currently produces seven bottled wines, three whites: Silk Asyrtikos, Moschofilero, Egli and four red earth: Silk, Egli Earth, Bacchus, Byzantine and raki with aniseed or without. All the spirits are indicated by PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and are produced in modern winemaking facilities but always in the traditional way of Wine making. Why can technology evolves, but the love for tradition produces the best quality distillate. While the vineyard is located in the hub of the park-Soufli Dadia-Lefkimi.

But who is this wine combined with the imposing and majestic aspect of Arsinoe? Can the gods of Olympus drink nectar, but only Asyrtikos silky wine is one that we will be able to travel with Arsinoe in the past. There in the magnificent archaeological site of Samothrace on June 24, 2012 in conjunction with the first collection Arsinoe de Thrace AdT with airy silk creations Asyrtikos silky white wine will lead us to the ecstasy of joy for the local products of Soufli and history Samothrace. The citrus flavor of Assyrtiko silk is a registered trademark of the Afi Bella Co because the microclimate that prevails in the vineyard, adds to the variety and fruity aromas of yellow color above the Assyrtiko wine of Santorini. Eventually, this small town of Soufli sygkatalechthei be blessed in the world and love for the raw material of silk and the grape leads to products people priceless aesthetic taste and value.